A 12-year-old boy who had been reported missing was found inside a Target store in Ohio on Monday morning, as confirmed by local police. The boy, whose identity has not been disclosed, was discovered by a store employee at 8100 E. Broad Street around 6:15 a.m. The Columbus Dispatch and NBC affiliate WCMH were among the first to report this incident.
According to police statements, the boy had spent the night alone in the store after running away from home. Target, in a statement obtained by CBS affiliate WBNS and WCMH, mentioned that they promptly contacted law enforcement upon finding the child and provided care until authorities arrived.
The circumstances of how the boy managed to enter the store undetected and spend the night there before the store's opening on Monday remain unclear.
Reports indicate that the boy's parents had filed a missing persons report on Sunday night. Once located, the boy was taken to Franklin County Children's Services, where his parents were able to reunite with him.
Police spokesperson Jennifer Watson expressed that the child's parents were relieved that he was found safe. The family was reunited on Monday afternoon, as reported by NBC News.
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries to the boy, and authorities do not anticipate filing charges against his parents, as per WBNS and The Columbus Dispatch.
